The novel called “Mr. Dumont,” by this unfortunate woman, was published
in the year 1755 in one volume, twelves, by H. Slater, of Drury-lane,
who may be presumed to have been the bookseller that accompanied Mr.
Whyte to her miserable dwelling, for the purpose of hearing her read the
manuscript. Since the account at col. 125, I met with an advertisement
of November, 1742, from whence it appears that she and her daughter,
“_Miss_ Charke,” performed at one of those places of public amusement at
that period, when, to evade the law, under pretence of a musical
entertainment, a play and the usual afterpiece were frequently
represented by way of divertisement, although they constituted the sole
attraction. The notice referred to is altogether a curiosity: it runs
thus:--
“_For the Benefit of a Person who has a mind to get Money_: AT THE NEW
THEATRE in James-street near the Haymarket, on Monday next, will be
performed a CONCERT of vocal and instrumental Musick, divided into TWO
PARTS. Boxes 3_s._ Pit 2_s._ Gallery 1_s._ Between the two parts of the
Concert will be performed a _Tragedy_, call’d THE FATAL CURIOSITY,
written by the late Mr. Lillo, author of George Barnwell. The part of
Mrs. Wilmot by _Mrs._ CHARKE (who originally performed it at the
Haymarket;) _The rest of the parts by a Set of People who will perform
as well as they can, if not as well as they wou’d, and the best can do
no more_. With variety of Entertainments, viz. Act I. A Preamble on the
Kettle drums, by Mr. Job Baker, particularly, _Larry Grovy_, accompanied
with French Horns. Act II. A new Peasant Dance by Mons. Chemont and
Madem Peran, just arriv’d piping hot from the Opera at Paris. To which
will be added a Ballad-Opera, call’d THE DEVIL TO PAY; The part of Nell
by _Miss_ CHARKE _who performed Princess Elizabeth at Southwark_.
Servants will be allow’d to keep places on the stage--Particular care
will be taken to perform with the utmost decency, and to prevent
mistakes, the Bills for the day will be blue and black, &c.”
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